The Knitting Store in Oceanside to participate in the Long Island Yarn Crawl

“This is more than just a knitting store — they’ve created a community here,” said Carolyn Grossman, of Oceanside, surrounded by nine fellow knitters and shelves upon shelves of colorful yarn at The Knitting Store, LLC.

The gathering is typical for the small shop, tucked right off of Long Beach Road on Poole Street in Oceanside. Every day, owners Denise Campbell and Barbara Wilenkin welcome “Sit and Knit” members to work on their projects at the long craft table in the center of the room.

“They come in all day, everyday, from opening ‘til closing,” Wilenkin said. “We help them with their projects, and there’s a lot of friendships that have been made.”

Members pay $30 per month to belong to the group, which includes 10 percent off their first project of the month and regular assistance with projects, plus camaraderie and coffee.

“It’s a great place not just to sit and knit, but to chat and make friendships,” said Carol Ransom, of Hempstead, who has been frequenting the shop since it opened eight years ago. “We know when babies are born and when parents pass away, and we’re here to support all.”

The store opens its doors not just to its “Sit and Knit” crew, but to anyone who wants to come in, buy supplies and create with them — no membership fee necessary.

“If you’re new and coming in and just want to do a project, you do not have to join the club,” Campbell said. “We will help you any time you need help.”

From April 4-7, the shop will house even more guests than usual as it participates in the fifth annual Long Island Yarn Crawl. The Knitting Store is one of 10 yarn stores across the Island taking part in the four-day event and the only one on Nassau County’s South Shore.

Attendees are invited to visit every store on the list and get a “passport” stamped along the way. After gathering all the stamps, they have a chance to turn in the sheet to be entered for a prize. The yarn crawl also benefits the Ronald McDonald House. Attendees are encouraged to make hats and blankets to drop off at participating stores during the event, which will be donated to sick children through the foundation.

The Knitting Store will offer discounts, promotions and trunk shows with guest artists throughout the weekend, including chunky yarn maker Loopy Mango on Saturday.

Sitting around the table, the women of Sit and Knit called the hobby “very contagious.” When one person knits, a project like a sweater, the others get ideas from the colors and type of yarn, wanting to do something similar. “Everybody does their own individual things and then it just morphs from there,” Wilenkin said.

The shop sells many types of yarn from merino and thin fibers to luxury cashmere and chunky yarns, all ranging in quality and price point. Recently, they started selling Campbell’s own hand-dyed yarns, “Knit Chick,” at the store. Patrons will also find many kinds of knitting needles and supplies, as well as jewelry and other accessories to match the piece they create.

Both owners expressed excitement for the upcoming event, which has brought them exposure and excitement in the past. The entire crawl brings in about 300 individuals participating and 50 who visit every store, according to Cheryl Lavenhar, event organizer and owner of participating store Knit in Roslyn.

“I was looking for a neighborhood yarn store and I just found [The Knitting Store] during the Yarn Crawl last year,” said Loria Tucker, of Freeport. “Just from walking in, the warmth of the owners, the fabulous yarn and meeting all these lovely ladies, I joined and come here almost every day.”